Propagation of Large Amplitude Waves in Annealed Aluminum

An experimental study of large amplitude compression waves in annealed aluminum for the case of constant velocity impact has given a close agreement with the strain rate independent theory of one-dimensional plastic wave propagation. Radial effects in the first diameter are observed and calculations of Poisson's ratio indicate the presence of relatively large dilatation. Propagation velocities, maximum strain, and energy considerations are in agreement with predictions from the slopes of the static stress-strain curve. These data were obtained using the author's diffraction grating technique for measuring strain and surface angle.